Sunny sees the funny side

30 December 2003 — 11:00am

For those who believe that the only good sledge is a funny sledge, we give you the maestro, Ian Chappell.

At a special ceremony yesterday, the Melbourne Cricket Club awarded the original paintings of legendary cricketers used by artist Robert Ingpen in his creation of a massive tapestry that commemorates the 150th birthday of the MCG.

Amid all this, former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar stepped up to receive a wonderful painting of him going down on one knee to drive through the off, floppy hat in place.

It was an image that prompted Ian Chappell to quip: "Didn't get (a painting of) the walk-off, Sunny?"

Gavaskar, it will be remembered, tried to lead his batting partner, Chetan Chauhan, from the field after he objected to being to being given out leg before wicket to Dennis Lillee at the MCG in 1980-81.

Back then, the Indian batting great was clearly the victim of a bad call. Yesterday, he was the smiling victim of a particularly good one.

Jane queen of concrete jungle

It's hard work, keeping up with the Joneses.

As he completed his 1115-kilometre trek for charity from Sydney to Melbourne, former Australian batsman Dean Jones told how his wife, Jane, had inspired him by completing the journey without a blister.

But, having been part of an effort that raised $1.015 million for leukaemia research, it seems Jane has not emerged unscathed. Yesterday, she had X-rays for possible shin fractures.

Umpires centre of attention

The men in white coats were honoured by cricket authorities yesterday, with umpires past and present attending the fourth day's play as guests. Among them was Bill Smyth, at 87 the oldest living Test umpire. Smyth, who began umpiring after an injury struck down his fast bowling career, said his first match at the MCG is still is fondest memory in cricket. "It has stuck in my mind because I got an appeal first ball," he said. "The very first delivery was from Fred Trueman and he appealed for a leg before wicket against Bill Lawry and I was quite happy to say, 'Not out'. Bill Lawry was a left-handed batsman and the ball was pitched outside his leg stump. Freddy Trueman knew it because he came back and said - leaving the language out of it - 'Just making sure you're awake!'

Smyth, whose umpiring career spanned from 1947 to 1972 and included four Tests, said he was disappointed by the behaviour of modern cricketers, particularly bowlers, who often went on to celebrate without looking to see what the umpire's decision was.